Norway provides additional humanitarian aid to Yemen

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide took part in the UN international donor conference for Yemen today. ‘This is currently the world’s worst humanitarian crisis,’ she said. ‘It is absolutely essential that civilians are ensured protection and humanitarian access is granted.’

At the conference, Norway announced that it will provide an additional NOK 170 million. Norway has already provided more than NOK 40 million through the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). In response to the crisis in Yemen, the largest-ever allocation by CERF was approved earlier this year. Norway also supports Yemen through the World Bank and through non-earmarked funding for humanitarian organisations.

‘Norway was one of the largest donors of humanitarian aid to Yemen in 2017, and I am pleased that we are maintaining a high level of aid in 2018,’ Ms Eriksen Søreide said.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres opened the international donor conference in Geneva to mobilise support for those in need in Yemen. Foreign Minister Eriksen Søreide, ministers from other donor countries, and representatives of international organisations and UN organisations were among those who participated.

As a result of the conflict in Yemen, more than 22 million people – nearly 80 % of the population – are suffering a humanitarian crisis. More than 5 000 children have been killed or wounded. Some two million children are out of school. The state apparatus has collapsed, public employees are not being paid, and more than half the population do not have access to health services.

‘The conflict has lasted for more than three years, and humanitarian organisations still do not have access to those in need. It is very difficult to get food, medical equipment and other necessities to civilians who are critically dependent on help from other countries. Norway urges the parties to the conflict to fulfil their obligations under international humanitarian law. This includes protecting civilians and ensuring unhindered humanitarian access to the civilian population. The blockade that is preventing humanitarian access to the ports in the Red Sea should be lifted,’ Foreign Minister Eriksen Søreide said.